Phanigiri Artefacts:
The Phanigiri artefacts, dating from 200 BCE-400 CE and discovered in 1942, are on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- The Phanigiri Buddhist site is considered one of the most important finds in Buddhist iconography in this millennium.
- Phanigiri is a small village in the state of Telangana.
Key findings:
- The thoranas discovered at Phanigiri are very important as they are among the first found south of Sanchi.
- The same thorana has a panel that shows both Mahayana and Hinayana schools of thought.
- There is evidence from Phanigiri that shows the deification of Buddha, and we can date this change. From a historical and spiritual identity, there is a transition to canonisation and ritual.
- The monograph of the event has the image of the Buddha wearing what looks like a Roman toga with folds carved in limestone.
